Resilient means



Sept. 8, 1942. F. G sLlqzKow 2,295,093

RESILIENT MEANS Filed Jan. 18, 1940 RA'QER/CKGCSUC ON Patented Sept. 8, 194-2 UNETED STTS FA'EENT GFE'IC RESHLIENT MEANS Frederick G. Suckow, Bowmansville, N. Y., as signor to The Symington-Gould Corporation,- Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,525

2-3 Claims.

The present invention relates to resilient means and more particularly to a type thereof adapted to cushion or disturb harmonic actions or vibrations of associated resilient means of any different character.

An object of the invention is the provision of a resilient means arranged and constructed so as to generate frictional forces and thereby have a period of vibration difierent from resilient means of other characters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient means capable of having its expansive movement checked or retarded to a greater extent than its compressive movement.

A feature of the invention is to provide, in a resilient member, a housing, a standard projecting into the housing with an outer spring means reacting against the housing and standard, means associated with the standard inwardly of the housing and shoes or wearing elements interposed between the previously recited means and housing; the means and shoe elements being so constructed and related that the latter may be urged radially during a shift or change in the relative positions of the housing and standard longitudinally of the resilient member.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an auxiliary spring means within the housing reacting against the shoe elements so that the latter may be maintained in an elevated position where they are adapted to be urged radially during movement between the standard and housing.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a plurality of spring means in a resilient means, member or unit and arranged with other elements of the unit in such a manner that one of the spring means will be compressed while the other of the spring means is expanding.

A further feature of the invention is to provide means on the shoe elements and means associated with the standard in order to effectuate a quick release of the shoe elements as the housing and standard move relatively to one another in one direction, and thereby, if there is any tendency of the shoe elements to adhere to the housing during a compressive movement of the unit, the shoe elements will be drawn inwardly of the unit away from the housing to permit a continued compressive unit movement.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawing disclosing an exemplified form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a resilient means, cushioning unit or device embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawing wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the reference l designates a resilient means, snubber device or cushioning member or unit applicable for use individually or in a group with springs of different character, such as helical or coil springs. When used with other springs in a group or nest, the resilient means functions primarily as a means to increase the capacity of the group and secondarily as a means whereby the periodic synchronous or harmonic vibrations or actions of the associated springs will be disturbed to such a, degree that progressive vibrations will not be amplified to such an extent that the springs of the group or their associated structure are damaged.

The resilient means or cushioning unit comprises a housing, sleeve or casing 2 formed by a cylinder or tube 3 presenting a confined axial bore 4 the entrance into one end oi which is restricted by a peripheral inturned flange 5 formed on a lower extremity of the cylinder. The upper end of the tube or the end opposed from the inturned flange carrying extremity preferably terminates in an integrally formed radial seat or substantially horizontal bearing flange 6 directed toward the outer limits of the unit. Closing the axial bore of the cylinder to prevent the ingress of foreign substance to the interior of the unit is a fabricated dished disk 1 seated in an annular recess 8 formed in the bearing flange extremity of the cylinder and secured to the tube by any desired or approximate means, such as the illustrated weld 8'.

Forming a counterpart of the unit is a vertically disposed standard or post 9 which is preferably hollow for substantially its entire vertical extent so as to diminish the weight thereof and ultimately the weight of the unit. The standard comprises a stem or shank I!) which extends beyond the inturned flange 5 to the interior of the casing for an appreciable or predetermined distance. Extending radially from the lower or outer extremity of the post is a base flange l l disposed oppositely from the housing flange 6. In actual practice, the flanges S and II are intended to bear against surfaces of members (not shown) which are capable of approaching one another, such as a bolster and side frame of a railway vehicle truck, and since the primary function of the unit is to resiliently resist the approaching movement of the two relatively movable members, an outer spring element is introduced into the structure. In the present embodiment the spring element is represented by a coil or helical spring [2 circumambient the housing cylinder in spaced relation thereto and having its end convclutions bearing against the housing flange 6 and the base flange H, respectively. The outer spring 12 serves to resiliently resist an approaching movement of the engaged flanges as well as form a means whereby the housing and standard are urged away from one another when the unit is relieved of forces which tend to compress it.

The upper portion of the stem or shank terminates in an upstanding axially disposed shaft l3 directed toward the disk extremity of the housing. Removably associated with the stem shaft is a wedge l4 interiorly threaded to be rotatably associated with exterior threads formed on the shaft. Since the shaft and wedge are interlocked by means of the threads, it would not ordinarily be necessary to provide other or extraneous means for preventing relative rotation or movement between the shaft and wedge and a possible accidental separation therebetween, but so as to positively guard against such conditions welds l5 are placed at the juncture of the wedge and shaft. It will, of course, be understood that, if so desired, the shaft may be extended beyond the Wedge toward the disk and the extended portion of the shaft have a nut or any other removable element associated therewith.

Movably associated with the wedges and disposed interiorly of the housing are a plurality of shoes l6 each having a web portion ll cylindrical in horizontal cross section and substantially coaxial with respect to the vertical axis of the unit. The shoe webs are, as will be hereinafter pointed out, at times in bearing relation with the housing cylinder so that during predetermined movements of the shoes, relative to the cylinder, frictional forces will act on engaging surfaces of the shoes and cylinder to retard the movement of the spring element I2. By reason of the creation of frictional forces the vibrations of the outer spring, when it forms a component part of the illustrated cushioning unit and is grouped with springs of the same or difierent character, will be different from the vibrations of the associated springs.

The shoes are arranged to move vertically with the wedge, and in order to form an interlock therebetween each shoe is provided with an intermediate rib or shoulder I8 extending inwardly of the unit toward the vertical axis thereof and into an accommodating relief or recess l9 extending around and formed intermediate the height of the wedge. The shoes and wedge are related and constructed so that the shoes are urged radially outwardly of the unit into intimate contact with the housing when the housing and standard are moved in a predetermined direction relatively to one another longitudinally of the unit and to move the shoes radially in the opposite direction out of contact with the housing when the direction of movement of the housing and standard is changed or reversed if the shoes, during such reversed movement, adhere to the housing. In this manner, therefore, frictional forces are created in the unit to check or retard the movement of the outer spring in one direction while movement of the spring l2 in the opposite direction may be less retarded.

In the instant structure the expansive movement of the spring I2 is cushioned and the compressive movement thereof may be less impaired so that when associated with spring means of different character to support a member, such as the previously recited railway truck bolster, the spring I2 may move more freely during a compressive movement. During the recoil action of the springs of the group the capacity of the spring l2 will be diminished by reason of the creation of frictional forces within the unit to thereby set up a period of vibration in the spring I2 different from that of the associated springs of the group and consequently form a non-harmonic nest of springs. The structure incorporated in the unit to accomplish the aboverecited desired result and function includes an inclined surface 20 on each rib l8 frusto-conical in formation when considering the surfaces collectively and facing inwardly and upwardly toward the upper extremity of the unit. Arranged at predetermined intervals or instances to contact or bear against the inclined surfaces 20 is a correspondingly formed surface 21 on the wedge which defines the upper extremity of the recess I9. The inclined surface 2| faces downwardly and outwardly of the unit and is engaged by the shoe surfaces 20 which results in the shoes being urged outwardly and radially to frictionally engage the housing.

Forming means adapted to retract or withdraw the shoes from housing engagement is a frustoconical surface 22 defining the lower extremity of the wedge relief and facing upwardly and inwardly of the unit. In like manner each shoe rib I8 is provided with a downwardly and out wardly inclined surface 23, illustrated in Figure 1 as disposed in spaced relation to and corresponding with the recess surface 22. By the particular association of tapered or inclined surfaces it will be noted that either upon an initial or a continued compressive movement of the unit and an adhesive or gripping action of the shoes relative to the housing the surface 2| will move away from the shoe surfaces 20 until the wedge surface 22 engages or contacts the shoe surfaces 23, and a further continued compressive movement of the unit will result in the shoes being drawn out of contact with the housing to temporarily eliminate any frictional forces being created in the unit and thereby permit a continued compressive movement of the outer spring l2 and the unit.

To ensure a positive action of the shoes and retain them in an elevated position so that the surfaces 29 and 2! will remain in intimate contact, there is provided within the unit an auxiliary or inner spring, represented in the present embodiment by a coil or helical spring 24, which need not be thus limited but may, if desired, be replaced by a hollow cylinder of rubber or any other desired means. The spring 24, housed within and carried by the tubing 3, is arranged to react against the inturned flange 5 and the lower extremities of the shoes. In this arrangement, therefore, the auxiliary spring, during a compressive movement of the unit by reason of the lower extremity of the housing moving away from the shoes, is expanded while the outer spring is compressed to thereby diminish the vertical forces against the shoes. By this arrangement, therefore, it will be observed that while the unit is compressed the pressure of the shoes against the housing will be gradually diminished to likewise diminish the frictional forces created on the shoe-casing engaging surfaces and the radial shoe pressure will be gradually increased upon an expansive movement of the unit since this shoe pressure is determined by the relative positions of or distance between the casing inturned flange and the adjacent or lower extremities of the shoes.

Various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described structure, it being understood that the details shown by the drawing and described hereinabove are merely illustrative and by no means to be considered as limiting, reference beingmade to the appended claims for the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a cushioning unit, in combination, a housing, a standard having a portion extending into said housing, an outer spring acting between said housing and standard, a wedge movable with said standard within said housing, shoes interposed between said wedge and housing for frictionally engaging the latter to a greater extent during movement between said housing and standard in one direction than during movement therebetween in the opposite direction, and an inner spring acting between said housing and shoes for retaining said shoes in an elevated position.

2. In a cushioning mechanism, in combination, a sleeve, a standai (1, spring means acting between said standard and sleeve for urging them apart longitudinally of said mechanism, a wedge secured to said standard and disposed within said sleeve, shoes interposed between said wedge and sleeve, coacting means formed on said shoes and wedge for urging said shoes radially into intimate contact with said sleeve when said mechanism is expanded, and associated means on said shoes and wedge adapted to withdraw the shoes away from said sleeve if the shoes adhere to said sleeve during a compressive movement of said mecha- 1118111.

3. In a resilient unit, in combination, a casing, a post movable with respect to said casing, means associated with said post interiorly of said casing, movable means interposed between said firstnamed means and casing and adapted to engage said casing to a greater extent during movements thereof in one direction longitudinally of said unit than during movements thereof in the opposite direction, and spring means interposed between said casing and movable means.

4. In a cushioning unit, in combination, a housing, a standard having a portion thereof extending within said housing, spring means acting between said housing and standard, means removably associated with said standard, shoes interposed between said means and housing and adapted to frictionally engage the latter, and an auxiliary spring acting Vertically between said shoes and housing so that the spring pressure against said shoes will be diminished as the unit is compressed.

5. In a cushioning device, in combination, a housing having a radial flange adjacent one extremity and an inturned flange adjacent another extremity, a standard comprising a base flange and a stem upstanding therefrom beyond said inturned flange, outer spring means interposed between said radial and base flanges for urging them apart, means associated with said stem, shoe means interlocked with said means and arranged for movement relative to said means and housing, and auxiliary spring means interposed between said shoe means and inturned flange.

6. In a cushioning device, in combination, a housing, a standard, an outer spring associated with said housing and standard for expanding said cushioning device, means on said standard, shoes interposed between said housing and means, and an auxiliary spring reacting against said housing and shoes; said auxiliary spring being adapted to expand while said outer spring is being compressed.

'L In a cushioning device, in combination, a housing, a standard having a portion thereof positioned within said housing, outer spring means associated with said housing and standard for moving them in opposite directions longitudinally of said device, means on said standard within said housing, shoes interlocked with said lastnamed means, tapered surfaces on said shoes and last-named means adapted to move said shoes into engagement with said housing during an ex,- pansive movement of said device and momentarily out of contact with said housing during a compressive movement of said device, and spring means for urging said shoes longitudinally of said device.

8. In a cushioning unit, in combination, a sleeve, a post movable with respect to said sleeve, shoes within said sleeve and interlocked with said post, means associated with said shoes and post for imparting horizontal movement to said shoes so that said shoes, upon adhering to said sleeve, will be momentarily drawn out of engagement with said sleeve during a compressive movement of said unit and be positively urged into frictional engagement with said sleeve during an expansive movement of said unit, and means for urging said shoes longitudinally of said unit.

9. In a cushioning unit, in combination, a sleeve, apost movable longitudinally of said unit with respect to said sleeve, shoes within said sleeve and interlocked with said post for movement therewith longitudinally of said unit, means associated with said shoes and post for imparting horizontal movement to said shoes, said means being adapted to move said shoes into contact with said sleeve during relative movement between said sleeve and post in one direction and momentarily out of contact with said sleeve during relative movement between said sleeve and post in the opposite direction, and means for urging said shoes longitudinally of said unit.

10. In a cushioning unit, in combination, a sleeve, a post movable longitudinally of said unit with respect to said sleeve, shoes within said sleeve and interlocked with said post for movement therewith longitudinally of said unit, means associated with said shoes and post for imparting horizontal movement to said shoes, said means being adapted to move said shoes into contact with said sleeve during relative movement between said sleeve and post in one direction and momentarily out of contact with said sleeve dur ing relative movement between said sleeve and post in the opposite direction, and spring means within said unit for urging said shoes longitudinally of said unit; said spring means being arranged to expand while said unit is being compressed.

11. In a cushioning device, the combinationof a housing, means spaced from and movable relative to said housing, spring means associated with said housing and first named means for expanding said cushioning device, means associated with said first named means, movable means interposed between said housing and said last named means, and resilient means reacting against said housing and movable means; said resilient means being adapted to expand while said spring means is being compressed.

12. In a cushioning device, the combination of a housing, means movable relative to said housing, spring means urging said housing and means apart, shoes interposed between said means and housing, said shoes and means being arranged and constructed so that the former are capable of moving horizontally, resilient means carried by said housing and reacting against said shoes, and means associated with said shoes adapted to draw said shoes away from said housing upon an adherence of said shoes to said housing during relative movement between said shoes and housing.

13. In a cushioning device, the combination of an open-ended sleeve, means spaced from and movable relative to said sleeve, said means projecting through said open end of said sleeve,

shoes associated with said means and adapted to be urged horizontally into intimat contact with said sleeve, and resilient means reacting against means carried by the open end of said sleeve and reacting against said shoes.

14. In a cushioning device, the combination of a sleeve, means spaced from and movable relative to said sleeve, shoes associated with said means and adapted to be urged horizontally into intimate contact with said sleeve, and resilient means carried by said sleeve and reacting against said shoes; said resilient means being arranged to expand when said cushioning device is being compressed.

15. In a cushioning device, the combination of a sleeve, means spaced from and movable relative to said sleeve, shoes associated with said means and adapted to be urged horizontally into intimate contact with said sleeve, resilient means carried by said sleeve and reacting against said shoes, and means associated with said shoes and first named means for momentarily withdrawing said shoes out of contact with said sleeve during relative movement between said sleeve and first named means.

16. In a cushioning unit, the combination of a housing, means spaced from said housing, resilient means acting between said housing and means for urging them apart longitudinally of said unit, a wedge member associated with said means, shoe members interposed between said wedge member and housing, normally contacting surfaces on said members inclined outwardly and toward an extremity of said unit, and normally spaced surfaces on said members inclined outwardly and toward an extremity of said unit for withdrawing said shoe members away from said housing if the shoes adhere to said housing during a service movement of said cushioning unit.

17. In a shoe adapted for use in a cushioning unit, the combination of a web, a rib outstanding from said web, a surface inclined with respect to said web defining one side of said rib and another surface inclined with respect to said web in the same general direction as said first named surface defining the other side of said rib.

18. In a friction unit, the combination of a sleeve, means spaced from said sleeve and adapted to move relatively thereto, means associated with said first named means, shoes interposed between said sleeve and second named means for frictionally engaging said sleeve upon service movements of said unit, and resilient means reacting against said sleeve and shoes; said shoes, second named means and resilient means being arranged and constructed so that a greater degree of frictional forces is created during an expansive movement of said unit than during a compressive movement thereof.

19. In a cushioning device, the combination of a housing having a flange adjacent on open extremity thereof, said flange being positioned intermediate the height of said device, means spaced from said housing, spring means reacting against said housing and first named means for urging them apart, a wedging surface carried by said first named means, shoes interposed be tween said housing and wedging surface and adapted to be urged into intimate contact with said housing, and resilient means reacting longitudinally 0f said device against said flange for urging said shoes against said wedging surface.

20. In a cushioning unit, the combination of a sleeve having a flange adjacent one end thereof, means spaced from said sleeve and adapted to move relatively thereto, a spring reacting against said sleeve and said means for urging them apart, shoes interposed between said sleeve and means and adapted to be urged into intimate contact with said sleeve by said means, and a resilient element interposed between said shoes and flange for urging said shoes into tighter engagement with said sleeve as said unit is being expanded.

21. In a cushioning unit, the combination of a sleeve having a flange adjacent one end thereof, means spaced from said sleeve and adapted to move relatively thereto, a spring reacting against said sleeve and said means for urging them apart, shoes interposed between said sleeve and means and adapted to be urged into intimate contact with said sleeve by said means, and a resilient element interposed between said shoes and flange; said resilient means being adapted to expand as said spring is being compressed.

22. In a cushioning unit, the combination of a sleeve having an inturned flange adjacent one end thereof, a standard spaced from and adapted to move relatively to said sleeve, a spring interposed between said sleeve and standard for urging them apart, a wedge associated with said standard, shoes having a web engaging said sleeve and a rib associated with said web, said shoes frictionally engaging said sleeve, and a spring interposed between said shoe webs and sleeve flange for urging said shoe ribs into engagement with said wedge.

23. In a cushioning unit, the combination of a sleeve having an inturned flange adjacent one end thereof, a standard spaced from and adapted to move relatively to said sleeve, a spring interposed between said sleeve and standard for urging them apart, a wedge associated with said standard, shoes having a web engaging said sleeve and a rib associated with said web, said shoes frictionally engaging said sleeve, and a spring interposed between said shoe webs and sleeve flange for urging said shoe ribs into engagement with said wedge; said last named spring being adapted to expand during a compressive movement of said first named spring.

FREDERICK G. SUCKOVV'. 

